Recently, I have been reflecting on the cycles of life and the challenges we all face at one time or another — personally and in business — as they are often intertwined in the small business environment.

I experienced a mild traumatic brain injury from a rear-end car accident late last year, which left me with many months of doing absolutely nothing except to rest and stay hydrated. It forced me to stop everything I was doing on a daily basis in order to heal. It was frustrating to say the least, struggling with my desire to be well NOW! I had things to do, places to go. I was to go on a once-in-a-lifetime dream trip to Dubai and Africa on safari with friends in Kenya. Those plans and many more were shelved. I was grounded.

We all know someone who has been affected by a job loss, foreclosure, illness, or financial insecurity in some way. How do we address that when confronted? How do we support the grieving that comes from this loss and change? In our businesses, how many of us take the time to really get to know our employees or co-workers to find out about the challenges they may be facing? Would it make a difference to them or to our team's spirit if we took a little time and actually got up close and personal with those we spend so much of our working days with?

My new criteria is to ask myself, 'Will this matter a year from now?' If the answer is no, then why get upset about it now? Conversely, if the questions you ask yourself about the events and circumstances in your life pass the one-year test, then that’s the indicator of the worthiness of your time and attention. How many times have I brushed aside time with my family for projects that needed doing around the house instead of saying yes to who and what matters most? These are the things that really matter in life, the things we need to prioritize in the time we spend with those we love and those we work with. Why does it take an accident or a death in the family or financial crisis before we wake up and get our priorities straight?

I encourage you all to take the time and let those you know, love and work with every day know how much you care. That’s just one way to be prepared and at peace with some of the big stuff that comes along in our lives.
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Be well,
Eliana Barriga
eliana@retailobserver.com

Congratulations, CES
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As you can see by our cover, CES is celebrating 50 years of their history— an impressive accomplishment in the world of trade shows. As one of the largest shows in the world, this feat doesn’t go unnoticed. So many innovations and companies have launched from this event that six pages in The Retail Observer doesn’t even scratch the surface.

I am celebrating 54 years myself, and as I look back, I think of all the electronics that have been invented during that time, and all the changes that electronics have made in my lifetime. Whether it’s in the kitchen, family room, bedroom or anything in my day-to-day life, I can only guess how many of the products we use today were introduced at this show.

I remember being in the living room during the college bowl games with black and white TVs pulled from various rooms in the house so we could watch every game at the same time. The problem was there was no remote control. Guess who invented the first voice activated remote? Yep, my dad. “Get up and change the small TV to channel 2 and the big one to channel 4. USC is about to score.” That problem was fixed thanks to the work of Zenith engineer Eugene Polley.

I also remember being in the kitchen with my mom and helping her make holiday meals with manual hand mixers (I was the power unit) and manual me at grinders (again, child labor.) Hours of elbow grease and sore arms were rewarded by the occasional dessert spoon to happily lick clean. Today we have electronic appliances to do all of this, and even order the ingredients for us. Ah, the time off I would have had as a child if our family had these products!

I have been going to the show for ten years now as a member of the press and can’t begin to tell you how excited I get every year to be a part of this amazing event. I’d like to say thank you to the CTA and congratulate the CES for their 50 years of showing us what has been, what is, and what will be in the CE world.

Happy Retailing,
Moe Lastfogel
moe@retailobserver.com